Chapter 49 – Guardian

“Well then. Let’s see if this goes better this time.”

Channeling magical power through my staff, I faced the monsters charging toward me with battle cries.

I blocked the Orc’s downward hammer swing with Ouroboros. A light impact, accompanied by an unnaturally loud sound like something shattering – the sound of the hammer the Orc had swung at me breaking into pieces.

I leaped at the Orc who was staring blankly at his numb hand after dropping the hammer handle. Gripping the pale glowing Dragon Staff Ouroboros, I delivered a strike – and the struck Orc went flying, tumbling together with the other Orcs.

“Hmm. It’s difficult to control the power.”

The quality of a magic staff is often determined by how much it enhances a spellcaster’s magic use – how little loss occurs when converting magical power into spell formulas, how fast it can deploy spell formulas, and so on.

In my case, since I also use it for close combat, I have to consider additional factors like length, weight, and durability.

As for Ouroboros – it excels in all these aspects at a high level. While I can’t go all out immediately, there’s no sign of the staff breaking so far.

This time, carefully controlling my power, I swung the staff at the remaining Orcs. I knocked them away, sliced through them, swept them up and sent them flying near the ceiling. – Even without using spell formulas, it seems to understand my intentions to some extent and changes the nature and shape of the magical power.

After finishing off all the attacking Orcs, the dragon ornament on the staff shook the tip of the tail it held in its mouth from side to side, looking satisfied.

When I experimentally stroked its throat area… it narrowed its eyes as if enjoying it.

…So it’s like they incorporated a magical creature like a Gargoyle into the staff. Only when actually used in combat did this characteristic become apparent.

The Dragon Staff Ouroboros is a magic staff designed with circulation in mind. The magical creature integrated with the staff apparently assists with and amplifies magical power circulation.

“That new staff is amazing.”

“…Though I have to control it differently than before.”

I answered the astonished Ashley and looked at my staff. Ouroboros wore what seemed like a proud expression. I couldn’t help but think it looked more like a dog than a dragon.

The problem is that it’s too powerful, I suppose. If I make a mistake in controlling the power, the loot diminishes, so to speak.

The Dragon Staff certainly withstands my magical power and produces results. No, I should say it produces too much results. Whether with magic or strikes, if I make even a slight mistake in control, not even the parts to be harvested remain.

They say a big thing can serve for a small one, but it seems I’ll have some trouble until I get used to handling it… I’ll consider it good training for magical power control.

“For today, would it be alright if I take the front? I want to get used to it soon.”

“Understood. I’ll handle any enemies coming from behind,” said Grace.

With me at the front, followed by Sheila and Ashley, and Grace bringing up the rear, we advanced through the labyrinth.

That said, we’re currently on the 19th underground floor. Since the labyrinth’s difficulty increases sharply after the branching point on the 20th floor, there are quite a few adventurer groups exploring these floors.

Being a volume zone means competing for resources, so neither monsters nor treasure chests yield much profit, but having many people around might make it safer. Even if you’re at a disadvantage fighting monsters, you can hope for reinforcements.

“Human group ahead around the corner. Five people.”

“Roger.”

Sheila alerted me. To avoid unnecessary alarm, I planted my staff on the ground and waited for the approaching adventurer group to arrive.

“Oh… wow.”

The adventurers coming from the other side widened their eyes in surprise.

“Hello.”

“Ah. You’re… the rumored Demon Slayer, huh? You’re quite energetic.”

“Yes. Good luck to you.”

“You too.”

The adventurer group gave vague polite smiles and disappeared deeper into the cave.

We occasionally encounter other adventurer groups within the cave area, but there’s no particular trouble. Rather, they seem more tense than us. Apparently – we’ve become quite well-known. If being somewhat feared helps avoid trouble, I don’t particularly mind.

Now. The previous adventurer group was walking with their hands on the right wall… so if we walk along the opposite wall, we’ll likely find the stairs.

As expected, we soon found the stairs. Descending to the 20th underground floor, we found a huge dome-shaped floor. The entire floor was made of stone, giving an impression similar to the central area of Boundary City.

“What’s that building?”

“A shrine. Inside that building are the branching point and a stone tablet… apparently.”

At the far end of the dome stood a building with a temple-like design, lined with large pillars. It seemed there was a bonfire at the entrance. I could see several adventurer groups walking toward the shrine, holding torches.

Inside the shrine are the 20th floor’s stone tablet and gates leading to other sections. And this floor is fixed until the branching point. Meaning – after branching, there are no stone tablets until descending one more floor.

Entering the shrine, we found several adventurer groups gathered there. They had serious-looking expressions.

Among them, for some reason, was the receptionist Heather.

“Ah! Theodore-san!”

Heather rushed over to me as soon as she saw me, looking flustered. In her hand, she held a Red Transfer Stone.

“…What’s wrong? Coming all the way here.”

“Well, it seems a Guardian has appeared beyond the branching point.”

“In such a shallow floor…?”

Heather nodded with a serious expression.

Guardian. A powerful monster that can potentially appear anywhere beyond the branching point on the 20th underground floor of the labyrinth. While not extremely frequent… exploration beyond the 20th floor must account for the possibility of this Guardian appearing.

For one to appear around these floors – there probably aren’t any ordinary adventurer groups with means to counter it. While it’s true that floors beyond the 20th become more diverse and difficult…

“There’s an adventurer group that escaped from the Guardian using a Red Transfer Stone… but according to them, they saw other adventurer groups in the same area. We’re gathering people with the capability to rescue them from above. I came here to warn everyone – and also because I expected Theodore-san’s group might be around the cave area.”

“So – a rescue request?”

“That’s correct. The opponent is a Sword Boar, and the location is Dusk Forest. I can’t force you, but if you undertake the subjugation and rescue, I promise a high reward.”

The amount Heather offered was 1500 Kirig just for accepting the request and heading there. Success reward would be calculated separately.

The location is Dusk Forest, huh. Either way, we have to defeat it to proceed.

Other – capable adventurer groups don’t seem to be coming as reinforcements. Whether they’re in town or hiding somewhere in the labyrinth, I don’t know the reason, but if they could be located, they should have been brought here.

Meaning the only ones currently here who can oppose the Guardian seem to be us. Either way, if the trapped adventurer groups don’t have means to escape, their survival would be doubtful by the time a proper subjugation team is formed.

“Alright. We’ll go.”

I don’t need to think much about whether to accept or not. I came to the labyrinth to train and earn money. But the problem is –

“What about Grace and -“

“Please let me come with you. I already understand that Theo is much stronger than me. But I don’t like not being able to be at Theo’s battlefield.”

Grace naturally placed her hand on her chest and spoke.

Then Ashley and Sheila too, I suppose.

“I think treating the injured – the sooner the better. If Theodore-sama says I’d be a burden, I have no choice.”

Ashley said while looking straight at me. She seemed to want to come along too.

“I’m going. I won’t allow surprise attacks, and I won’t miss any rescue targets.”

Sheila said without hesitation.

We don’t have time to persuade them by talking. What they’re saying isn’t wrong. Having Ashley and Sheila with us would help in many ways beyond combat power. Ashley herself wants to become stronger. Sheila wants to maintain good relations with the Adventurer Guild. I want to respect their feelings too.

The opponent is a Guardian, Sword Boar. The location is Dusk Forest, huh.

A worthwhile opponent if we can defeat it. But it’s a bit too much for Ashley and Sheila to handle directly. We have Red Transfer Stones, and considering Caduceus too – well.

“…Understood. The basic premise is that I’ll take the front and protect everyone, but in return, Sheila, if I give the order, you must definitely evacuate everyone using the Red Transfer Stone. Even without waiting for orders, if Sheila senses danger… at minimum, I want you and Ashley to definitely escape together. If you can promise that, I’ll take you along.”

“Absolutely. I promise.”

“Thank you, Theodore-sama!”

In Dusk Forest, there’s no worry about getting separated. I’ll have Caduceus protect the two of them.

“Understood. Then I’ll explain the precautions for Dusk Forest as we go.”

“Yes. Please do.”

“Then Heather-san. We’ll be going, so please continue guiding everyone here.”

“Be careful!”

Seen off by the serious-faced Heather and the adventurers present, we headed toward the gate leading to Dusk Forest – and without hesitation, leaped inside.